Starting this summer, most travelers flying out of U.S. airports will no longer have to remove their shoes at security—finally ending a 20-year-old requirement many saw as annoying, outdated, and unnecessary.

The change was announced Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference held at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

The policy shift comes as part of a broader effort by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to modernize airport security using new screening technologies that detect threats more accurately without slowing travelers down. Noem pointed to this tech evolution as a key reason the agency is easing up on certain rules.

“It’s important that we find ways to keep people safe, but also streamline and make the process more enjoyable for every single person,” Noem said. “With the U.S. hosting the World Cup in 2026 and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, making air travel more efficient is a national priority.”

The old rule dates back to 2001, after British passenger Richard Reid—later dubbed the “shoe bomber”—tried to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers on a flight from Paris to Miami. Passengers subdued him, and the plane safely diverted to Boston. The incident led TSA to begin requiring travelers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints.

However, not everyone will get to breeze through with their kicks on. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the updated rule only applies to travelers who present a Real ID—a federally approved driver’s license or ID card that meets stricter security standards. Enforcement of Real ID requirements began in May 2025.

According to the Associated Press, the TSA is also exploring other ways to improve the airport screening experience without compromising security in an effort to rebuild public trust and make flying less of a hassle.